2nd mission planned for area reservists

Photo

Mster Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.

Staff Report

One of the three U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft that departed Sunday from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna is planning a second humanitarian mission to Haiti today.

The three aircraft containing reservists from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna were assigned to provide aid to the residents of the earthquake-ravaged nation.

Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr., superintendent of public affairs for the base, said the aircraft departed at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. with a crew of between 10 and 12 each.

Barko’s plane landed Sunday evening at the Soto Cano U.S. Air Base in Honduras, where it took on 19 American medical military personnel, a humvee with a trailer packed with supplies and a pallet of additional supplies.

The cargo plane left Honduras at 10:40 p.m. Sunday and landed at Haiti International Airport in Port au Prince at 2:45 a.m. Monday to deliver its cargo.

Most of the supplies were related to the mission, such as blood supplies and bottled water, Barko said.

Barko said the two other C-130s are also providing aid to Haiti, but he did not know specifics of their missions.

Barko’s C-130 stayed in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands part of the day Monday after leaving Haiti at about 3 a.m.

The plane was expected to land somewhere in the southeastern United States today to pick up another supply of goods for Haiti.

“We are basically tasked to continue the mission until we hear otherwise,” Barko said.

“It’s a good mission to be on. Most people can donate a bag or give money, but to get to participate here is a great opportunity,” he said.